Materials
Board at least 2' (60 cm) long
Variety of objects to test: plastic bowl, block, spool, pencil, a car, empty box, cardboard tube
Floor classification chart/graph for children to record findings
Instructions
1. Prop one end of the board up at about a 45 degree angle.
2. Place one item at a time at the top of the board and let it go. Does it roll or slide? Repeat with the same item. Did you get the same result?3. Put the item on the floor chart in the correct spot.
4. Move the top of the board up higher or down lower. Do you get the same results with the items you test?5. Set up another board and place a "slider" or a "roller" at the top of each. Compare the speed of sliders against rollers. Put them in order of the fastest to the slowest. Change the angle of the boards and retest. Does this change affect the speed of any of the items?6. Predict where on the floor the "rollers" will stop when you roll them down the board.More to doMore science: This could lead to a discussion of inclined planes and wheels and other tools that help make work easier.
